Kuala lumpur: Malaysia announced the detention of two oil tankers suspected of transferring nearly $130 million worth of crude oil off the coast of Penang state. The tankers were inspected following a report on the ships anchored 24 nautical miles west of Muka Head, the northwest tip of Penang Island.

According to Anadolu Agency, the state-run news agency Bernama reported that the tankers were found moored together, suspected of engaging in ship-to-ship transfer activities. Penang Maritime director, Maritime Capt. Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli, disclosed that the two vessels were involved in crude oil transfer activities with 53 crew members from China, Myanmar, Iran, Pakistan, and India.

The seized crude oil was valued at over 512 million Malaysian Ringgits, equivalent to approximately $129.8 million. Meanwhile, the combined value of both oil tankers amounted to 718 million Malaysian Ringgits, or $182.1 million. The ship captains and vessels have been detained and handed over to investigation officers for further inquiry. No immediate information was provided about the tankers' identities or their points of origin.